Stag FM - Radio for Hertford.

• How will the licence be awarded?
  The Radio Authority advertised the availability of the commercial radio licence for the Hertford area in June 1999. Groups will have three months to submit their applications. A decision on the winning application is expected early next year and the station could be on the air by summer or autumn 2000.
  
  
• What is the Radio Authority looking for from a new station?
  The Radio Authority decide the winning application by judging a number of factors including relevance to the area and whether the programming proposals broaden audience choice. Also important are factors such as the proven track record and professionalism of the applicant and the viability of the station as a profitable business (revenue is generated by the sale of advertising). In other words, whether the applicant is a "safe pair of hands".
  
  
• Why will the new station not cover the whole of Hertfordshire?
  Radio frequency usage is regulated internationally and unfortunately there are only limited frequencies available in this area. If a more powerful signal were allowed to cover the whole county, the Radio Authority would argue that it would interefere with other neighbouring stations.
  
  
• What is Stag FM?
  The directors are Professor Eric Moonman OBE (chairman) a former MP who has been actively involved in radio for 20 years; Hertfordshire businesswoman Jean Hewitt; Debbie Le May,Chief Reporter of the Herald newspaper series; Tom Pitt-Chambers, a a former student and vice-president of the University of Hertfordshire's Students' Union; David Tomlin, Managing Director of Graveson's of Hertford; and Robert Clarkson from DMG Radio with 12 years radio experience. Stag FM is one of the groups which is applying for the Hertford area licence. It is owned by DMG Radio, the radio division of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc who have been involved in commercial radio in the UK since it began in 1973. DMG Radio owns eight stations throughout the South East including Ten 17 FM in Harlow and Oasis FM in St Albans/Watford. Overseas, DMG Radio owns 58 stations in Australia and operates a national station in Hungary.
  
  
• How will Stag FM sound?
  Stag FM has commissioned NOP to conduct a detailed independent survey to establish what people in Hertford want to hear. The programme plans will be put together after the results of this research is known later this summer. We firmly believe that, in order to be effective, local radio must be popular and of quality. Stag FM will consist of local news, interviews, entertainment and music aimed to statisfy the tastes and interests of a broad range of people living in the Hertford area. It will broadcast 24 hours a day. For more details of our programming plans, click here.
  
  
• Where will Stag FM be based?
  As a local radio station, Stag FM will establish studios, a newsroom and offices in Hertford.
  
  
• What makes Stag FM distinctive from other applicants?
  Stag FM is part of DMG Radio which has a proven track record of owning and operating successful, popular and profitable radio stations. DMG Radio is already well established in Hertfordshire, having run Oasis FM in St Albans and Watford. Our team at Oasis have already forged good working relationships with the county council, emergency services and voluntary organisations in Hertfordshire. In addition, DMG Radio's Essex FM is the market leading station in Essex and Vibe FM, the highly successful regional dance music station for East Anglia. Stag FM will be created by a team which has vast experience in making popular and professional local radio, matching a station to its locality so it is local without being parochial.
  
  
• How can I help?
  Please become one of our supporters. To do this, please send a letter of support to the address below as soon as possible:
  
  

Professor Eric Moonman OBE,
Chairman,
Stag FM,
50A St Andrew Street,
Hertford.
SG14 1JA